Relive Bon Jovi's Rock Hall induction + remembering Little Richard

As a Mother's Day present to fans, the uncut version of Bon Jovi's 2018 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame premiered online on May 10. Opening with a welcome message from David Bryan, the stream included all the speeches and performances, some of which were cut in the HBO broadcast two years ago.

If you missed the Bon Jovi's full Rock Hall induction ceremony, or you want to check it out again, you can watch it below:

I was tuning in on a Monday morning while getting ready for work, but the speeches are still emotional for me two years on. And I enjoyed the performances, even though they were far from perfect. No musical artist has had as much impact on me as Bon Jovi. Sure, they've disappointed and frustrated me at times, but mostly because I've been so invested in them. They've been by my side (in my ears) through highs and lows. And tattoo removal is painful and expensive, so they'll always be a part of me.* 😜

In all seriousness, I was happy when Bon Jovi got inducted into the Rock Hall and I'm happy to be able to watch the whole thing today.

*If you're wondering, I have a heart and dagger tattoo. It's pretty rad, if I do say so myself.

In much sadder news, rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard passed away on May 9. So here's "You Really Got Me Now" by Jon Bon Jovi featuring Little Richard, from Jon's debut solo album Blaze of Glory:

Jon and David also paid tribute to Little Richard on social media:

View this post on Instagram

In 1990 when I wrote the Young Guns record I had the chance to ask some of my heroes to record with me - Elton John, Jeff Beck, and an all star cast came together to have fun and just make music. One day, Danny Kortchmar, the famed producer said “who else do you know?” I reached out to the legends legend Little Richard....he accepted. When he arrived in the studio he made all of us feel like little kids. He played, he sang, he laughed and told us stories. He blessed us with his smile and with his talents. I’ll never forget him.. I pray there’s a heaven and that Richard is at the piano.... JBJ

A post shared by Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) on May 9, 2020 at 8:59am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Little Richard put The Rock in Roll and the Roll in Rock!!!! Thank you for leading the way for piano bangers like me and so many others !!! Keep hitting them keys hard in the big band in heaven... Thank you ... and God bless u... 😎🎹🎤🎶🙏❤️😎

A post shared by David Bryan (@davidbryanmusic) on May 9, 2020 at 9:50am PDT

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Bon Jovi 2020 tour cancelled

Bon Jovi 2020 with Bryan Adams canceled.

In news that should come as a surprise to no one, the Bon Jovi 2020 tour dates that were due to begin in June have officially been cancelled.

Bon Jovi released this statement:

Due to the ongoing global pandemic, it is no longer feasible for Bon Jovi to tour this summer. Given these difficult times, we have made the decision to cancel the tour entirely. This will enable ticketholders to get refunds to help pay their bills or buy groceries. These are trying times. You’ve always been there for us and we’ll always be there for you. We look forward to seeing everyone again on tour when we can all safely be together. We will continue to send out news and updates on Bon Jovi touring in the weeks and months to come.

The Runaway Tours trip with JBJ in New York City that was scheduled for August has also been cancelled.

Jon was on Howard Stern's show recently where he went as far as to suggest his touring days might be over:

“We may never tour. This could be the end of touring, who knows?” Jon said, adding, “I’ve read these articles that ‘20 is out of the question, ‘21 is possibly out of the question. So, in ’22 when they tell you that you can’t play 50,000 people anymore, do you go, ‘Oh well, I can’t tour the way we used to’?”

The world has certainly changed in 2020. Is it a world where we've seen the last Bon Jovi tour?

Jon also told Howard the Bon Jovi 2020 album will be delayed and that new coronavirus-inspired song "Do What You Can" will be played in its entirety for the first time at Jersey 4 Jersey, which will raise funds for the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.

(And yes, I know I'm still behind with my blogging and still haven't blogged about "Do What You Can". I will, I promise.)

Let's finish this particular post with some good news: David Bryan, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, posted on Instagram that he has now recovered.

View this post on Instagram

Got my test back today. Thankfully I’m Covid-19 negative! 5 weeks to the day that I got sick... I’m a very lucky guy! ⭐️ There are people who have no symptoms, people who got sick (like me), people fighting for their lives and people who sadly have lost their lives. This is a nasty virus BUT science/medicine will conquer all. Thank you to all for your well wishes. Thank you to all the Doctors and Nurses and all on the front lines. You are the true heroes! ✨

A post shared by David Bryan (@davidbryanmusic) on Apr 19, 2020 at 1:12pm PDT

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Bon Jovi gets into the Rock Hall

Bon Jovi was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2018 on April 14.

Then & now: Dave, Alec, Jon, Tico, Richie.
Photo: David Bergman.

Howard Stern's hilarious, NSFW speech included such glorious soundbites as "Bon Jovi beats sperm". After Howard's introduction, the inducted band members each got to speak. Alec John Such went first, followed by Hugh McDonald, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan, and finally Jon Bon Jovi. The speeches ranged from the emotional to the nostalgic to the outright funny.

Everyone (the members who were inducted, plus Phil X, John Shanks, and Everett Bradley) took to the stage together, although I think Alec only played on "Livin' on a Prayer". The following songs were performed:

1. You Give Love a Bad Name
2. It's My Life
3. When We Were Us
4. Livin' on a Prayer

I know Jon wanted to do a new song but "When We Were Us" was still a bit unexpected and, as far as I'm aware, a pretty unconventional choice for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (artists usually stick to their hits or most influential songs). It was great to hear Richie's harmonies though, and to see him and Jon singing from the same microphone.

The official HBO telecast of the induction ceremony will air on May 5. Hopefully those of us not in the US will be able to watch it too.

In the meantime, there are some unofficial streams from fans in attendance, including this one:


"Wanted Dead or Alive" was conspicuously absent, but Richie did perform it at the Rock Hall the previous weekend to kick off induction week:

In case you missed it, Bon Jovi and the Moody Blues had made an appearance at the Rock Hall the day before the ceremony, with Jon giving a speech saying, "We're thrilled, we're honoured, and it's about f***ing time".

The red carpet, including Bon Jovi's arrival and interviews with Jon and Richie, was also live streamed: 

Now I know there are plenty of fans who have harboured varying degrees of discontent with the state of Bon Jovi over the past few years. I'd be lying if I said I was completely happy about everything. But tonight that didn't matter. (I won't speak for anyone else, but it didn't matter to me.) Tonight was a celebration of what Bon Jovi's music has meant to me for so long. All the times they lifted me up, consoled me, saved me. And that history won't change, no matter what happens going forward.

Howard Stern to induct Bon Jovi into Rock Hall; debuts When We Were US

Jon Bon Jovi appeared on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius XM Radio on January 17. During the show, it was announced that Howard Stern will be the one to induct Bon Jovi into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. "When We Were US", a new Bon Jovi single that will be released on February 23, was also played for the first time on the show. Here's the song in full, recorded from the broadcast:

"When We Were US":

 

What do you think?

I'm not subscribed to Sirius XM but there are some clips from the interview on Howard's website.

Here's Jon telling the story of asking Howard to induct the band into the Rock Hall:


And Jon on Donald Trump's alleged campaign to prevent him from buying the Buffalo Bills NFL team:


Listen to more snippets on Soundcloud and HowardStern.com.

JBJ & Pat Monahan perform Wanted Dead or Alive (Howard Stern's birthday)

Jon Bon Jovi performed at Howard Stern's birthday bash at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on January 31.

He was joined by Pat Monahan from Train on this performance of "Wanted Dead or Alive". You can listen to the audio from the SiriusXM stream below:

Jon Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive (Howard Stern's Birthday Bash 2014)